Airport queues prompt calls for stronger passenger compensation rules

Long security queues at Copenhagen Airport have left passengers with little recourse after missing flights, DR reports. The Danish Consumer Council Tænk says current rules do not cover cases where an airport is responsible for a passenger missing a flight.

Passengers seeking compensation are in a difficult position, says Esben Grønborg Geist, the council’s deputy director. They cannot take such cases to the Consumer Complaints Board or the Danish Transport Agency, which oversees passenger regulations but only assesses whether airlines have met their obligations.

Several hundred passengers have faced long queues, and some have missed their flights. Geist says the law does not account for airports causing passengers to miss flights, leaving passengers to seek compensation through the courts.

The Danish Transport Agency has ordered increased security checks at Copenhagen Airport. The reason is not known, but the agency says the checks are not due to external circumstances. Airport communications chief Lise Agerley Kürstein said procedures had been temporarily changed after issues were identified.

Tænk is urging the airport, airlines and authorities to improve and speed up communication with passengers so they have a chance to reach their flights. Geist also says the rules may need to be revised to allow passengers to receive compensation.